MADRA Update - 23 December 2020
In our last update for the year, we are pleased to say some of the hard work being undertaken by community groups is starting to pay off.
Funding Announcements
The Genoa community has been lobbying hard for funding to replace the Genoa Bridge. After a lot of hard work behind the scenes between different levels of government to secure funding, EGSC this week announced the bridge will be replaced.
The Halls and Recreation Reserves Committee has also received funding to draw up concept plans for a much-needed upgrade to the Mallacoota Main Hall.
Community Recovery Committees, such as MADRA, have stressed the need for assistance with grant writing. Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) has advised specialist assistance is available for community groups to help get funding applications to submission stage.
Draft Recovery Plan
The next chapter of the draft Recovery Plan to be released will be on Business and Economy. We have been talking with various community groups, as well as responsible government agencies, to make sure this chapter hits the mark.
We think about our economic recovery in three ways:
Tourism initiatives and support for businesses which is the role of MDBATA.
Improving our overarching economic infrastructure including roads, energy and communications.
Strategic initiatives will prepare us for structural changes to the economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we are now entering a really busy time for most, we will hold off releasing this chapter for comment until next year.
Thank you for the great constructive feedback we have received on the draft Recovery Plan. Updated chapters will be distributed early next year.
Community Consultation
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, we are finally getting to the stage where we can plan face to face community consultation sessions. These sessions will likely take place from February.
We have received many, many suggestions for our recovery. To get recovery projects over the line, community input and endorsement is essential. To this end, we are planning how we can present projects for consideration and have asked EGSC and BRV for assistance with graphic design and printing.
Media
Media interest in our community is strong and will intensify over the next few weeks. In addition to our dedicated volunteer media group, we now have a media consultant to help us through this time.
Our message to media organisations is clear. Please be kind and sensitive. Intrusive and sensationalist reporting is inappropriate for communities recovering from disaster.
Merry Christmas
Our Christmas message – separate to this update – reflects on the events of 2019-20 and how we are recovering from fire, flood and pandemic! Despite all the year has thrown at us, we remain a strong feisty community.
Take care, be safe and we’ll report back next year.
Thanks,
MADRA